In Academy City, the Paradise Project begins.

Page 37

"Poor microcirculation in the fingertips, unstable pupil size."

He turned the medicine bottle.

"Body signals of sustained high mental stress."

Misaki instinctively reached for the remote control, only to find nothing. She then remembered the batteries were scattered on the floor, and the tips of her ears flushed slightly beneath her long golden hair.

"You don't need to meddle in my business."

She crossed her arms and lowered her eyes.

"My own affairs..."

"Your issues are my job."

Higashino stood up, leaned forward, and looked directly at her.

"I came here today by appointment with a patient, and as a psychologist, I have an obligation to ensure your mental health."

Misaki's breathing became noticeably rapid. She looked up abruptly, but froze the moment she saw Higashino's eyes. There was no pity in those eyes, only a kind of determination that she couldn't understand.

"What...did you see?"

This time the voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Higashino bent down to pick up the pills that had rolled to his feet, blowing away the dust with slow, deliberate movements.

"Enough."

He finally answered.

"So much so that I know exactly what you need right now."

Honeybee's fingernails dug deeply into his palm.

"You know nothing!"

Her voice had lost its usual deliberate sweetness.

"Nobody needs..."

"It's not sympathy."

Higashino continued with a smile.

"It's a date invitation."

Misaki's cold smile froze on her face.

"When you're under a lot of stress, the best treatment is complete relaxation. Forget your worries and focus entirely on doing something else!"

Higashino unbuttoned his white coat.

"so."

The white lab coat was casually hung on the back of the chair. Higashino wore a simple black shirt underneath, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his forearms. He stepped forward and stood in front of Shokuhou.

"Let's go on a date now."

This is not an inquiry, but a declaration.

Shokuhou wanted to back away, but Higashino took a step forward, bringing them dangerously close.

"Are you crazy?"

Misaki's voice was filled with disbelief.

"I am..."

"Fifth in Academy City, Mind Control Master Misaki Shokuhou."

Higashino finished speaking for her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"She's also my patient. You invited me here, you know."

He reached out and brushed her hair. As she leaned back, the back of her head hit the wall, her eyes filled with unease.

"Now, we've stood up."

Higashino's voice cannot be ignored.

"It's time for treatment."

Shokuhou had never encountered anything like this before—someone who dared to approach her so aggressively, knowing her abilities. What was even more terrifying was that she didn't even think to use her powers to fight back.

"I...I haven't agreed yet..."

"No consent is required."

Higashino had already grabbed her wrist, with just the right amount of force.

"The doctor's decision is final."

The moment Misaki was pulled up, a wave of dizziness washed over her.

Those deeply buried memories resurfaced: the empty eyes of the manipulated, the cold equipment in the laboratory, the fear and loneliness swallowed alone in the dead of night, and the exhaustion of countless attempts to maintain the perfect mask of "Queen of Tokiwadai" in front of the mirror...

If back then... someone had helped me without considering the consequences...

She crushed the dangerous, weak thought as soon as it sprouted; she couldn't allow herself to have such an idea.

Holding Misaki Shokuhou's hand, Higashino led her outside without hesitation.

When Dongye opened the door, sunlight flooded in like a torrent. He turned to look at her; her silhouette, backlit, was blurred, her features out of shape.

"Now, you have me."

The door to the infirmary closed behind me.

The girls in the hallway completely ignored the two men's presence.

However, at this moment, Misaki Shokuhou was not in the mood to think about the reasons. Her world was now only filled with that hand with undeniable power and the strong back in front of her that was trying to drag her away from the gloom.

Chapter 52 Spatial Reconstruction

Higashino Yu walked to the entrance of Tokiwadai.

He glanced down at his watch; it was 10:48.

"Taking someone out on a date without permission..."

Misaki Shokuhou's complaints came from behind.

"Is this the professional ethics of a healthcare worker?"

Higashino turned around and saw Misaki Shokuhou standing at the school gate, a faint smile on her face, her usual composure restored.

"This is called mandatory psychological counseling."

Higashino waved his phone; the screen displayed the school clinic's appointment records.

"The doctor's prescription clearly states 'Outdoor activities are recommended to relieve stress.'"

He deliberately emphasized the words "doctor's orders," a sly smile playing on his lips.

This was edited and uploaded on my phone on the way here. Anyway, he's now Shokuhou's attending physician, so his words are just medical advice.

The remote control for Misaki Shokuhou spun nimbly on my fingertips, emitting a silvery sheen, like a butterfly poised to take flight.

"I don't recall signing any consent form."

She suddenly pressed the button, her pupils glowing slightly.

"Send me back right now..."

Click.

As expected, the mind control failed. Higashino remained standing perfectly fine, even magically producing a sun hat covered in stars, with tiny crystals adorning the brim, from behind him.

"Knowing full well that it's ineffective, yet still doing useless work."

He spoke softly, carefully placing the hat on the bee's head.

"Being too rebellious isn't appealing, so today's mental fortitude is ineffective."

Misaki's eyes widened as she realized she couldn't use her powers.

She tried to continue using the remote control, but her hand accidentally touched the vanilla and blueberry scoop of ice cream.

"Try it, I really like their ice cream."

Higashino took a bite of his matcha-flavored ice cream cone, the icy sensation making him squint.

"This store has only been open for a month, but it is already one of the top-selling ice cream shops in the 7th school district."

"and many more!"

Shokuhou grabbed his shirt cuff and looked around incredulously.

"We were still standing at the school gate..."

Before he finished speaking, Higashino snapped his fingers. The surrounding scenery changed, and the two reappeared at the entrance of Tokiwadai School.

"It's just space folding."

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Higashino's nose, but his smile remained composed. He quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, not wanting Shokuhou to see his strain.

Although his abilities have been enhanced considerably, using long-distance spatial abilities still consumes a significant amount of energy.

"The straight-line distance was three kilometers, but I only took three steps."

Shokuhou looked at Higashino in surprise.

This level of spatial manipulation goes beyond the scope of Level 4 coordinate movement. This application of ability is completely different from the information she had previously obtained. Although his abilities have always been diverse, there has never been any manifestation related to spatial abilities.

"Is this really something that can be accomplished with mere knowledge?"

Her voice was filled with disbelief.

"Clean."

Higashino didn't answer her question, but handed her a handkerchief. The fabric was embroidered with delicate cartoon star patterns, and the edges had a faint lavender scent.

"The ice cream has all melted."

His gaze fell on Misaki's skirt, which was stained with ice cream; she seemed quite surprised by her own abilities.

However, I was quite surprised. I only planned to give it a try, but it actually led me and Misaki Shokuhou to the ice cream shop we had visited before.

However, if used over longer distances and for more continuous periods, wouldn't the consumption increase exponentially?

Give it a try.

Just as Misaki took the handkerchief, the ice cream shop in front of her suddenly became blurry.

Higashino took her hand and stepped forward.

Wow!

The sound of waves crashing against them carried the salty, damp scent of the sea breeze. They stood on a pier, the azure sea stretching out before them.

"Eighth School District Ocean Park".

Higashino pointed to the horizon, his voice rising slightly with excitement.

"Twenty kilometers as the crow flies..."

"The Eighth School District?!"

Shokuhou's voice was filled with disbelief. That's twenty kilometers! Even if there really was a Level 5 spatial ability user, it would be impossible to travel that far in an instant.

"That's right."

Higashino's pupils rippled with silvery-blue light, like fluorescent creatures in the deep sea.

"The scenery here is beautiful, isn't it? It's a perfect place for a first date..."

"Who wants to go on a date with you!"

The hat that Higashino had put on Misaki's head almost flew off in the sea breeze. She quickly reached out to hold it back, her cheeks flushed slightly with excitement.

"Besides, you're not a mental ability user at all! A mental ability user couldn't possibly do something like this!"

She pointed at Higashino with a firm tone, like a schoolboy pointing out a murderer.